Lakers forward Metta World Peace, the team’s best perimeter defender, is scheduled to have surgery today to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He’ll miss a minimum of six weeks. Without him, the Lakers managed to slip past the Timberwolves, 120-117, and remain in eighth place by one game over the Jazz, who also won last night. Kobe Bryant had 31 points and seven assists.

Northwestern hired longtime Duke assistant Chris Collins to replace the fired Bill Carmody, hoping Collins finally can lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament and into the upper echelon of the Big Ten. The son of 76ers coach Doug Collins spent the past 13 years on Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils’ staff

Connecticut has signed women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma to a five-year, $10.86 million contract to keep him at the school through the 2017-18 season.

Shaka Smart and VCU have agreed in principle to a deal to keep the coach at the school. The deal extends a contract already scheduled to run through 2020.

Tom Boerwinkle, the former Bulls center who had a franchise-record 37 rebounds in a 1970 game, has died after a lengthy illness. He was 67.

NFL: Raiders release veteran DT Kelly

The Raiders released defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, cutting ties with the longest-tenured player. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004, he became a mainstay, signing a $50.1 million, seven-year contract in 2008.

The Cowboys have signed safety Will Allen and linebacker Justin Durant to free-agent contracts after restructuring the contract of backup quarterback Kyle Orton and releasing receiver Anthony Armstrong to clear enough salary-cap space.

The Ravens have agreed to a three-year deal with former Raiders safety Michael Huff. He played his entire seven-year career in Oakland and was released last week.

ETC.: U.S.-Mexico gets big rating

The scoreless tie between the United States and Mexico more than doubled the previous high viewership for a World Cup qualifier on an ESPN network.

The game Tuesday night was watched by 2.385 million people on ESPN. The company said the previous high was 1.191 million viewers for a 2009 U.S.-Mexico match.

The Flames have traded star Jarome Iginla to the Penguins, the team announced late last night. The 35-year-old Iginla, who was in his 16th season with the Flames, is in the final year of his contract.

The Cardinals have agreed with ace pitcher Adam Wainwright on a five-year contract extension worth $97.5 million, according to multiple reports.